Descriptive Crystallography for Mineralogy
Crystallography is the study of the formation and structure of crystalline solids. Mineralogists deal with many crystalline minerals and use…
What is Mineral Luster?
Adamantine. Silky. Greasy? Gemologists and mineralogists use these and other evocative terms to describe luster. This simply means how the surface…
What are Allochromatic and Idiochromatic Minerals?
Many factors can contribute to a mineral’s color. However, some minerals can have many different colored varieties, while others only occur…
Mineral Optical Properties
We tend to take light for granted. It’s such a common thing we experience every day. Rarely do we think of the scientific definition of light…
Mineral Formation: How Are Minerals Created?
Most gems form naturally as minerals within the Earth. Most form as crystals, solids whose atoms are arranged in highly ordered repeating patterns…
A Guide to Mineral Names and Classification Systems
Have you ever wondered where mineral names come from and what they mean? This article will cover the origins of mineral names and discuss the principal…
What Is The Difference Between Gemology And Mineralogy?
Despite some commonalities, there are significant differences between gemology and mineralogy. In this article, we’ll look at the materials…
A World of Crystals
We live in a world of crystals. You don’t have to dig deep into the Earth to find them. Even the bones in our bodies and the dust in the air contain crystals.…
What Is A Mineral?
We live in a world of minerals. They’re closer to you than you might realize, even if you don’t wear any gemstone jewelry. Minerals…
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